Jules

Paul you are so right, I was advised not tell anyone I was planning to give up and I managed that. I think I just got over excited hitting the one month bench mark and wanted to shout it out! But as you all have wisely said; this is a personal journey and as long as I know what I've achieved then that's all that matters. I am going to be humble and be proud!

Planned a special treat to look forward to. Used the Free NHS Quit Kit and found calendar really helped. Bought an E-Cigarette for emergency. Stuck notes everywhere to remind me why I was quitting. Slept. Fruit gums. If I had known about this forum helped I would have joined sooner!

Very true Sally, and at the end of the day only I will know how well I am coping with it. I don't need the blessing of others, knowing inside that I've acheived something is enough. I've also noticed a sort of glow around me and I think it's because my attitude has changed, plus not inhaling all those toxins is doing my skin the world of good! x

“Only a quitter gets a quitter. Ask a non-smoker to give up alcohol for the rest of their lives & then they might understand” I’m so proud of how well I’ve done that I want to shout it from the rooftops - 1 month and counting! BUT, I’ve learnt this is a private battle and it should stay that way. I recently told a non-smoker friend how well I was doing, but they actually made me feel ashamed because they thought smoking was disgusting, the fact that I'd stopped was irrelelvant. I doubt it was intentional but it really took the wind out of me. I’ve realised this IS a personal battle and I should refrain from talking about it too much, or at least choose who I talk to more wisely… saying that I can’t wait to tell my dentist who nagged me to quit for years - appointment is in December so I will be 3 months smoke free if I keep it up! So when I need a pick me up I log on here and instantly I’m smiling! I can see someone’s reached a milestone, I read funny and inspiring blogs. It makes me feel good knowing we are in this together, all battling this in our own ways and each day IS a celebration - and that is a GOOD thing! So to all you fellow quitters - Thank You! You are doing an amazing thing and you keep me going too. Hugs and high fives you lovely lot x :-)

Congratulations Sue, what a milestone! :D

Thank you Nancy and I'm going to make time to create a proper profile. After one SOS message I'm overwhelmed by the support I've received. Everyone has been so nice and offered amazing advice and I definitely feel much better today! BUT, I know this is going to be an ongoing battle and I will need support for a long time to come. Thank you to everyone who took the time to message me, it means a lot. x

Thank you for replying and your wise words guys. I will most definitely read up on here and I like the NOPE saying, I have already embedded that in my brain. You are right-there will be good and bad days and I'm obviously just having a bad day! I feel so much better having had contact with other people who have quit and you have all done so well! I already feel better. Thank you!

Hello, I quit 19 days ago and up until today felt so proud of myself but am not feeling it now. I keep thinking that after 28 days I can have one drag of a cigarette - that's how long the NHS reckon you need to be off cigarettes to improve the chance of quitting. I know it's so stupid to think like that but I can't get the idea out of my head. Has anyone else had this after nearly 3 weeks smoke free? Does it go away again? p.s Thank goodness I found this website, by joining it made me feel slightly better.